FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (ORIGINAL)
13 October 2024
(National/Maine)
The One In Five Foundation For Kids, founder & national director, Daniel Chapin, has released the following official statement, updated, as of the date of this release, in regard to our previous announcement on the Lewiston, Maine Shooting Funds, Allocation & Ongoing Care Review
"In the days, weeks and months following the tragic May 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas; while families mourned unimaginable losses, feelings of helplessness, isolation, anger & a plethora of other daunting emotions; of which most of us will never comprehend - individuals and communities rallied, across this nation; most of whom had never heard of Uvalde, Texas. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, neighbors, friends, and yes, thousands of strangers rallied to reach out to help. They rallied with their prayers & their thoughts. They rallied with their petitions, calling for both, accountability & for change. And, tens of thousands of people rallied with their donations. From $5 to $50,000 donations poured in from rich and poor, young and old .. After all life, in a strange, bittersweet twist, refuses to pause for those left behind. There are still the expenses: Funeral Costs, Immediate Relief Due To Job Loss, Etc .. Americans understood this and they responded with much grace.
As donations mounted the understanding mounted as well for the need to centralize entrusted funds for Uvalde victims & their families & to stream line donated funds for immediate & ongoing needs. A common trust fund of sorts was created. Those, primarily families of victims, requiring financial aid, were vetted through a process and ultimately, received the support, though there was and continues to be blatant gaps in the system oftentimes. For one thing, most Americans did not know where there donated support went. And, even worse, those who truly needed aid, not just temporary but long-term aid such as mental health care, etc, were vetted out of receiving funds. Priority trauma was determined not by mental health or trauma care professionals but moreso by lawyers, politicians & suddenly nonprofit resiliency centers were funded. Many victims for the shooting didn't receive funds at all until over a year later. Some still have not.
To this example, our foundation responded in rebuttal to this process, aiding immediately in paying for phone bills and counseling appointments, mental health care, medical & funeral expenses and more. All the while hundreds of thousands of dollars sat & still sit under the guise of "nonprofit resource centers," & bank accounts. The cause for accountability and ensuring Uvalde victims families & the affected community receive the ongoing care & donated funds continues to this day.
Across the nation in Lewiston, Maine a similar tragedy unfolded in a community, again, many Americans have not heard of. And, as the 1 year anniversary approaches many will "remember." But what have we learned? And how have we cared for those in the immediate and ongoing aftermath of the tragic shooting which crippled but did not break this close knot community?
As our foundation prepares in our own remembrance and official recognition of many of the heroes lost that tragic day, we also sought to ensure that the experience many families experienced following Uvalde, were not experienced by Lewiston. Sadly, we have received word that several families & individuals present that day in Lewiston, at the shooting, have received little to no care, beyond basic food gift cards & referrals to four different law firms and 26 various nonprofits; where donated funds to this cause were allegedly disseminated.
To all this - we have concerns & believe the local and national community has a right to know that their faith in Lewiston has not been in vain. Moreso, we all have an ongoing duty to ensure that all affected by the Lewiston shooting, receive the care they are so deserving of and in part, this means ensuring the finances donated to those facing an insurmountable challenge, go directly to where they belong, for what they were intended for. Isn't that what their loved ones would wish us to do most on this 1 year mark - Care for those they are no longer able to?
Our foundation thinks so & will do our best to ensure this happens. We are calling for an immediate, complete review of funds received, reallocated, and distributed since the shooting date. First, we would like an answer to one question? Why are some people so traumatized & hurting from the shooting still not receiving financial aid and care for mental health care, living costs etc.? Let's start there..."
The One In Five Foundation For Kids
254 206 9089
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